handbuilding Supplies List
Welcome to Hand-Building class! I'm so excited to meet you and see what amazing things you're about to create. Let's get you setup for success and make sure you have all of the tools you need. Listed below are "The Essentials" and "Extras" in an effort to help with budgeting and narrowing down what you may want to purchase if your google search has your head spinning...
Click on an item to view the Amazon listing!
THE ESSENTIALS
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Purchased in person during class.
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(continuous misting is the best) - maintains the moisture level of your pieces as you work.
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an all purpose knife used to cut clay
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Having a straight edge is essential when slab-building, a form of hand-building that we’ll learn in class. You can use any ruler, but a 14” gives the best length.
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Versatile scoring tool in the shape of a metal rib.
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Looks like a USB stick!
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Holds like a pencil.
Extras
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A cutting tool that offers a more precise cut than the general fettling knife, which is necessary for certain projects you may be making.
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There are 3 different styles available, but all will provide a way to shave down pieces to shape them and eliminate weight / thick areas of clay.
This is the style I use in my work
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There are 3 different styles available, but all will provide a way to shave down pieces to shape them and eliminate weight / thick areas of clay.
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There are 3 different styles available, but all will provide a way to shave down pieces to shape them and eliminate weight / thick areas of clay.
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Ribs are essential in wheel throwing. They’re an all around versatile smoothing, compressing, and shaping tool that comes in different sizes and softnesses. A definite upgrade from the metal rib in the general tool kit you will have!
YELLOW / SIZE #1 / BEAN SHAPED = The most versatile!
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Sculpture tools come in different shapes and sizes and they’re great for smoothing, joining, and decorating clay.
This kit includes:
17 pieces
Great all-around kit that includes trimming tools, blenders, and smoothers.
Includes scoring tool, sponge, and rib!
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Sculpture tools come in different shapes and sizes and they’re great for smoothing, joining, and decorating clay.
This kit includes:
27 pieces
Large selection of “ball” and “rubber nib” tools in various sizes, which are used to blend/smooth joints, along with adding surface texture.
This kit also has scoring tools included!
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Sculpture tools come in different shapes and sizes and they’re great for smoothing, joining, and decorating clay.
This kit includes:
30 pieces
Extensive selection of double-ended wooden blending tools!
Includes a scoring tool and rib!
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Rolling pins are a staple in hand-building. You can use them to create slabs, roll texture into clay, etc. This is a smaller, double-ended rolling pin that fits in your hand.
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Makeup sponges are a VERY affordable alternative to the finishing sponge option above. They’re excellent for finishing work, final details, and clean-up of surfaces without roughing up your clay surface!
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Having a way to cut exact circles is a game changer! I personally use these to cut out the bottoms of the mugs I slab-build.
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Wooden rice spoons make a great clay-friendly and budget-friendly paddle to use in coiling/pinching methods of hand building!